Jakarta: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has decided to double the subsidized fertilizer allocation, raising it from 4.7 million tons to 9.55 million tons. This measure is targeted at alleviating the fertilizer shortage, which has resulted in heightened production costs for rice farmers.
“Good news for farmers throughout Indonesia. The president decided to raise the allocation of subsidized fertilizer from initially 4.7 million tons in 2024, to 9.55 million tons,” said Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman after a cabinet meeting with Jokowi at the State Palace Complex on Monday.
Minister Amran mentioned that each regional head will be promptly instructed to release subsidized fertilizer to farmers in need.
In addition, Amran also predicted that the rice harvest in March would reach 3.5 million tons, enough to meet demand for the upcoming fasting month in March.
“Our crops in December, January, and February cover an area of approximately over 1 million hectares, meaning our production will be 3.5 million tons in March,” said Amran.
Farmers have been complaining about a lack of subsidized fertilizers. Deden Miftah, 45, a farmer from Garut Regency in West Java, said last week that the availability of fertilizer has significantly diminished in recent days.
Deden is concerned that if the government continues to reduce the allocation of subsidized fertilizer, he will be forced to buy non-subsidized fertilizer, which is more expensive.
